Rotary engine.



No. 810,601. PATENIED JAN. 23, 1906.

B. R AUGUSTINE. ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 28, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

1 1507 22 qgs.

No. 810,601. PATENTED JAN. 23, 1906. B. P. AUGUSTINE.

ROTARY ENGINE APPLICATION FILED AUG. 28, 1905.

I y i Wiizzess a. mag. gmzzzewz BENJAMIN F. AUGUSTINE,

OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

ROTARY ENG-INE- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 23, 1906.

' Application filed August 28, 1905. Serial No. 276,149.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. AUGUS- TINE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of NewYork, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Rotary Engines, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to rotary engines,

and more particularly to improvements in engines of that. type having a'stationar cylin er, a rotary core arranged in the cy pistons and thesurface against which they move, to provide the engine with a reversingvalve mechanism of simple construction which enables the engine to bedriven in either direction and which also affords a supplemental exhaustfor the steam to prevent ack pressure against the istons, to soconstruct the engine as to re uce the leakage to the minimum and makethe en stable, and durable, and to' ot prove rota me strong, erwiseimengines of'this type, as hereinafter, spec' ed, and set forth in theclaims.

In the accom anying drawings, consisting of two sheets, igure 1 is'alongitudinal sectional elevation of a rotary engine embodying theinvention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view, on areduced scale, of thbrotary core.

. 'pistons.

5 is a fragment showing the flu iif Fig. 3 is-a perspective view, on areduced scale, of one of the cams for operatin the Fig. 4 is atransverse 'sectiona elevation of the engine in line 4 4, Fig. 1.

section in line 5 5, Fig. 4', admission passages. Fig; 6- is aperspective view of the abutment-piece r'emovedi Like letters ofreference refer to like parts The cylinder or casin may be of any suitable construction, that s own in'the drawings consisting of a hollow'cylindrical body or shell A,provided with a base or portion a, by

which the cylinder is fastened to a support,

mder and contacting at one side with an inwardlyprojecting portion ofthe cylinder forming an Fig.

screws 0. The inner surface of the cy inder is preferably cylindrical,except at one side, which extends inwardly, forming an abutment for themotive fluid to act against in driving the engine. The abutment portionof the cylinder is preferably formed by a sepa rate block located in aseat on the body of the cylinder, and its inner surface at oppositesides of its central salient,- portion is curved eccentrically to thecylinder to merge into the cylindrical portion of the inner surface ofthe latter.

E represents a rotary piston-carrier and core arran ed in the cylinderand fixed to the 'power-sha t to rotate therewith. The core extends fromhead to head of the cylinder, contacting at one side with the abutment Dand has circular end flan es 6, which form a running joint with thecylinder and straddle the abutment, which is reduced at its-ends forthis purpose. The core shown in the drawings has a separate and piece 6,on which one of the end flanges is formed and which is bolt"- ed orotherwise secured to the core to enable .the pistons and-counterbalancin -weights,

;which are carriedby the core, to e placed therein. The adjustable boxes0 for the power-shaft permit the core to be adjusted toward the a Imaintain a proper contact, and no packing at this point is necessary.,The'joints between the ends of the abutment and flanges e of the coreare preferably'packed by s ring-pressed blocks e locatedin recesses in te ends of the abutment. r

' F represents the-movable pistons or blades against which the ressureof the motive fluid is exerted t0 rive the engine. They are carried bythe rotary cor'e, extending from end to end thereof, and travel againstthe inner surface of thecylinder, being preferably arranged to slide inand out in radial pockets or guides f in the core and having at theirouter edges spring-pressed shoes f which bear against the cylinder. Eachpisv utment D as the parts wear to Y ton is connected by rods f whichpass from 1 the piston to slide in a ra- XIO ' movement of the pistonsis limited by the en- "aref'of somewhat larger dlameter than thepensate' for wear.

.--the cylinder. r

- the. core in cavities i, formedthereforin the end plates H and are 7tionarily secured tothe heads of the cylinder. The cams conformin shapeto the contour of "ii by which it can be fixed in properrelation Itactwith the abutment; but at such time the augmented and the pressureof the pistons on the surface of the'abutment is only slight.

. the heads of. the cylinder, are pressed against the outerfaces oft'lfeend plates Hby suitable gagement of shoulders g at their inner portionswith cooperatin shoulders on the piston-guides. These s oulders )reventany ressure of the pistons on the cy indrical surtace of the cylinderdue to centrifugal force, and the only pressure of the pistons on thispart of the cylinder-surface is that exerted by the springs of the shoesf The shoulders g do not thus act when the pistons are inconcoimterweights bein thrown farther. from the axlsof rotation t .eirbalancing action is H represents circular end plates or disks which aresecured by bolts to the opposite i'andsf'of thecore and close the endsof the pisi011 guides or pockets f. These. end plates flanged ends ofthe core, and the cylinder is eounterbored at its. ends to receive them.Packlngerings-h, confined in annular seats in means, such,as'set-screwsh, screwed into the cylinder-heads and bearing against thepacking-rings- The rings can be adjusted toward the en plates of thecore as necessary to com- This arrangement of the end plates andpacking-rings is very effective in preventing leakage between the'coreand I represents cams for holding the pistons outin contact with theinner surface of the cylinder; "-They surround the power-shaft andarelocated: inside of the end plates: H of ogposite ends of the core-andhave hubsi", w 'ch project through-central holes the cited oro'therwisestathe inner surface of the cylinder and hold the pistons outin sliding contact with the'cylinderby bearing against'theinnere'd es-ofthe" projecting ends of. the pistons. athcam (see Fig. 3) preferably hasan-adj'ustables ec-- tion *5 connected to the'main'part byscrews to theabutment and adjusted toward-the abutment when necessary to compensatefor wear. In my above identified a plication hi g bra P p P with thesteam-supply pip the pistons are operated by a sing scam to catedcentrally in the engine and secured to a stationary shaft.' Suchconstruction necessitates a hollow power-shaft, and the engine is not sosimple, strong, and stable as with the end arrangement. of the camshereinbefore described.

' K represents spring-pressed packing-rings surrounding the power-shaftin pockets in the ends of the core and bearing against the inner facesof the cams for preventing leakage between the core and cams to theshaft openings in the cams. The cams being secured fee to the headsofthe cylinder, there can be 11 leakage between the outer faces of thecams-and the cylinder-heads to the shaftopenings of the cylinder.

L, Figs. 4 and 5, represents a supply-pipe for the steam or othermotivefluid, connecting bybranch passages Z with inlet-ports 1, leadingthrough the opposite heads of the cylinder and thepacking-rings it intothe. pie 7 ton-space between the cylinder and core jacent to one end oftheabutment D. The

supply-pipe is controlled by a throttle-valve Z Each end flange andplate'oi" the rotary I core are provided with admission and cutoil portsm, located one just in rear of each piston and adapted in the rotationof the core to register successively with the inlet-ports of thecylinder. I

N represents main exhaust-ports preterably located in the cylindricalwall of the cyl-.

inderopposite to the abutment and connecting by the chamber a of thehollow cylinderbody with the exhaust-pipe n.

The engine as thus constructed is driven in one direction for instance,to-the right%as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4, by the expansiveaction of the steam, admitted through the inlet-ports. Z. I 3 Assumingthe pistons to be in the positions shown in Fig. 4 and thethrottle-valve open, steam will enter the piston-space through thecutoff ports m, which 1 are in register with the inlet-'pjorts l",randacting between the abutment and piston F just in advance of theinlet-ports will turn the core to the right. When the cutoff ports inrear of the'piston'pass the inletports, the steam will be cut off andwiliact expansively against the piston until it reaches the exhaustports N- and escapes from the cylinder. The steam thus acts ex-.pansivcly against the several pistons in suecession, driving the enginecontinuously in 'one direction.

I -The reversing mechanism is preierablyconstructed as follows: 0represents a steamchest located in the hollow body of the cy'inrderadjacent tolthe abutment D, and connecthaving a throttle-valve p e L.The-stutinent portion of the cylinder is provided with admission andexhaust ports g g, con.-

with the piston-space at opposite,

sides of the center of the abutment, prefer ably by open-sided by-passgrooves q i in the inner face of the abutment. Eac

port q q preferably connects with two bypass grooves, as shown in Fig.6; but oneor more than two grooves could be provided-for each port. The'bypass grooves extend from near the center to the ends of the abutmentand permit the passage of the steam aroundlie iston which maybe incontact with the'abitme r z. ert its.pressureaga'nst the piston advanceof that hearing against the abutment until such advance pistonreaches-the main exhaust-ports and the. otherpiston leaves .the

abutment; The bypasses act in this manner whether. the steam is admittedthrough thejcut-ofi' ports or through the ports if" and serve to relievethe pistons from un anced ressure so long as they are incontact with t esurface of the abutment and are sliding radially in their guides. Thefriction tion of the reversing-valve shown in Flg. A the admission andexhaust port'g and'outlet between-thepistons and their guides isthusgreatly reduced. R represents a reversing-- valve which is arra ed toslide between the steam-chest O and t e opposing face of the cylinderhaving the ports q q, and is pro;

vlded witha Y-shaped passage 1' for connect,- ing the outlet 1" of thesteam chest with one or the other of the portsq an operating'stern orhand e In the posi- 1" of the steam-chest are'closed, and the other portgis open to theexhaust-chamber of the c linder. With this position'ofthe valve t e port g and connecting by-passes afford a supplementalexhausfro-passage which allows the esca e ofany steam. which might behetween a Y piston' and the abutment 1 other throttle-valve p is opened,and the reversing-valve is moved, to the right in Fig. 4:, to a positionin whichits passage 1" connects the outlet of the steam-chest with theadmission and exhaust port q. Steam will then i enter the piston-spacethrough said port 51 and connecting by-pa'sses and acting on the pistonswill drive the en ine-in the opposite direction, the steam in sucreverse movement.

of the engine exhausting through-the main and supplemental exhaust-portsN and g. In an engine constructed as described only highpressure steamis employed in reversing the engine; but by the provision of duplicatemlet-ports at the opposite side of the engine and duplicate cut-9ftpprtsginiheio posite sides of the pistons the engine. coul be eperated'.in the reverse direction by the expansive action of the steam in amanner similar to that described. The reversing-valve R is also .de-

sirable for starting the engine in the direc tion in which it is drivenby the steam adshown in Fig; 4, the other to the exhaust-chamber. I

The engine. is especially designed for operteam will 'ex-,

The valve has .Witht to the left until its passage r connects the outletor the steam-chest with the admissionport g, in which position, as inthe position ation by gteam; but it canalso' be operated by othermotive-fluids, and 'many features of the engine are also desirable forrotary pumps and meters.- j

. I cl'a" as my lIlVGDiJ'iOIk-g 1. Theicombmation of a rotary core, acylport 19' isopened inder'su rrounding said core and contacting 3otherewith to form an abutment, pistons carriedby said core and travelingin contact with the inner surface of said cylinder, means foradmitting-the motive fluid into the cylinder at one side of-saidabutment and cutting it ofi to act expansively, a supplemental ex-'haust-port at the opposite side of the abutment, and a main'exhaustportbetween said admission means and said supplemental ex haust-port, saidabutment having a by-pass ,passagewhereby the fluid can pass'by a pistonin contact vwith said abutment and exert its pressure between thepreceding iston and said abutmentsubstantially untl said precedingglSllOll reaches said main exhaustport and t e succeeding piston passesoff of said abutment, substantially as set forth. 2; The combination ofa rotary core,- a cylinder surrounding said core and contactingtherewith to form an abutment, pistons carried b said core and travelingin contact li e inner surface of said cyllnder, an admission-port in theend of the cylinder at one side of said abutment, a disk secured to theend of said core and having ports which cooperate with saidadmission-fort to cut off the fluid to act expansivel an exhaustport,said abutment having a "y-pass passage whereby the from theadmissionport can pass by a piston in contact with said abutment andexertits ressure between the preceding piston and said abutmentsubstantially until said preceding piston reaches said exhaust-portandthe succeeding piston passes off of said abutment,-substant1a1ly as set:forth.

3. The combination of a rotary 051e,; cylinder surrounding said-core andcontacting therewith to form an abutment pistons carriedb said core andtraveling in contact with t e inner surface of said cylinder, anadmission-port in the end of the cylinder at one side of said abutment,'-'a disk secured to the end of said core and havingports whichcooperate with said admission-port to cut oil? the fluid to actexpansively, an exhaust"- port, said abutment having by-pass assages inits opposite sides whereby the m can pass a piston in contact with saidabut ment, ipo1 ts connecting -.w 1th said by-pass.

- the ends of the cylinder at one sideof said abutment, a valvecontrolling the supply thereto, disks secured to the ends of the-coreand having ports which cooperate with said admiss1on-ports to cut oilthefluid to act eX- pansively, said cylinder having a main ex'-'-haust-port and also ports at opposite sides of said abutment, afluid-supply, and a reversing-valve controllin said fluid-supply andports at opposite si es of the abutment and constructed to close theport at the side of the abutment next to the admission-ports and openthe port at the opposite side of the abutment to serve as asupplemgntal. exhaust-port, or to connect the last-irre'iftioned portwith said fluid-supply and open the port next to the admission-port forreversing the engine, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination. of a rotary core, a cylinder surrounding said coreand contacting therewith at one side to form an abutment, pistonscarried, by said core and travelin in contact with the inner surface ofsaid cy inder, means for admitting motive fluid to the cylinder at oneside of said abutment and cutting it off to act expansively, a valvecontrolling the supply of fluid to said means, and a reversing mechanismindependent of said cut-off mechanism for admitting and exhaustingmotive fluid to and from the cylinder at opposite sides of saidabutment, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination of a rotary core, a cylinder surrounding the core andcontacting therewith at one'side to form an abutment, pistons slidablymounted in. radial guides in said core, means for holding said pistonsout against the inner surface of the cylinder, counterweights connectedto said pistons, stops to limit the outward movement of the pistons,shoes on said pistons which are pressed against the cylinderindependently of the means for holding said pistons out, and means foradmittin nan exhausting fluid to and from the cylin er, substantially asset forth.

7 The combination of a rotary core, a cylmder surrounding said core andcontacting therewith at one side to form an abutment,

pistons carried by said core and traveling in i as set forth.

contact with the inner surface of said cylin der, means for admittingmotive fluid to the cylinder at one side of said abutment and cutting itoff to act expansively, admission and exhaust ports at opposite sides ofsaid abutment, and a reversing-valve controlling said ports to admit andexhaust motive fluid to and from the cylinder at opposite sides of saidabutment, said reversing-valve bemg' stops to limit the outward movementof said pistons, counterweights connected to said pistons and movable inguides in said core, and means for admitting and exhausting fluid to andfrom the cylinder, substantially 9. The combination of a rotary core, acyl- .inder surrounding the core and contacting therewith at one side toform an abutment, diametrically opposite pistons arranged to slide inradial guides in said core, a counterweight arranged diametricallyopposite to each piston to slide in a radial guide in the core, rodsconnecting each piston and the op-' posite counterweight and passingthrough the counter-weight for .the opposite piston, means for holdinthe cylinder, and means for admitting and exhausting fluid to and fromthe cylinder, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination of a rotary core, a cylinder surrounding the coreand contacting therewith at one side to form an abutment, pistonscarried by said core, cams secured to the heads of said cylinder forhold ing the pistons in contact with the inner surface of the cylinder,end plates secured to the ends of said core and located between saidcams and the heads of the cylinder, packingrin s between the heads ofthe cylinder and sai end plates, packing-rings between the ends of saidcore and the inner sides of said cams, and means for admitting andexhausting fluid to and from the cylinder, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 26th day of August,

BENJAMIN F. AUGUSTINE. Witnesses:

,C. W. PARKER, E. O. HARD.

the pistons in contact with 1

